Free A Democratic Model of Development Essay Sample

Condoleezza Rice has been a significant figure in national policymaking in the George W. Bush Administration. She expressed her views on the role of America in the world politics where she noted that president Bush was losing support and that her position in decision-making was getting acknowledged by the stakeholders. Condoleezza Rice became strong in the national security matters; this was an irony since her position was becoming stronger in an administration that was slowly losing out to the competitors. Rice seemed to measure the US political history she actually considered the republican imperialist by the name Roosevelt and Harry Truma as democratic on cold war.

Rice in her observations indicated that Roosevelt had some similar characteristics with President Bush (439).  Both presidents exuded greatness, although a number of American people misunderstood Roosevelt. Seen as an idealist, he was still considered a cold-eyed realist. Roosevelt gained notoriety for having sent US marines to Cuba during the Cold War; and  at the same time he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for assisting in ending the war between Japan and Russia.

Roosevelt helped in building the Panama Canal, hence he was considered soft-spoken to enemies. However, he also embodied an authoritative approach to the people and nations that never obeyed him. Rice describes that Roosevelt displayed realism and went further to describe it as uniquely American.

American realism is influenced by the prevailing politics, thus America is characterized by a unique character that enables the people of America to be united by the virtue of soil and blood, and be governed by the human rights and human freedom. American people believe that their characters dictate the unique power. It is, therefore, believed that America has unique interests in material gain guided by the moral values of the American people. It has adapted a revolutionary power system, unlike the majority of countries in the world that embrace status quo power.

Rice acknowledged that Americans are united by universal ideas. Therefore, she continued to assert that America’s moral values drive the country to the rest of the world (437). This indicates that no agency is involved or any human choice involved. Rice is critical in stating that America has interests in material gain. The main challenges suggest that if the rest of the world exploited other nations by material interests and moral values, then a world war would be inevitable. America does all it can to maintain the position of a super power; this is best done by controlling the world business. However, countries like China are becoming potential threats in the global business.

According to American realism, human beings are corrupt and imperfect by nature, this is why nations embrace democratic systems and establish democratic institutions. The democratic institutions guide America’s critical decisions; hence, democratic institutions guide decisions on war, prosperity, peace, poverty and other considerable decisions. America believes that the states act as the distribution points of the prevailing power between them. This has enabled America to attain its goals amicably. It believes in united purpose and power this is well engraved in the words of President Roosevelt after the American great depression (McCormick 24).

Rice asserted that democratic institutions are vital in making decisions. She noted that the democratic nature was destroying local administration basing on effectiveness and integrity. During the Iraq war, America destroyed state power institutions instead of reforming the power systems. It is unclear from the statements of Rice whether institutions of power dictate the course of actions taken by the American government. This resonates well with the theory of democratic peace that indicates that states never make war on one another. The theory was credited with stating that the best way to avoid a war within a country is to become democratic in nature. This theory is challengeable, and western countries have engaged in war with countries that do not seem to be democratic. The theory has a considerable level of intimidation by the countries that are seen as superpowers.

Rice is critical on the democratic aspect; she asserts that it is different to various nations. For instance, North Korea manufactured a bomb, and no nation attacked her; while Iraq did not have any bomb, and she was attacked. This incident contradicts the democratic realism and it is considered to have flaws with respect to other countries. Human beings are fallible, and the interests concerned guide their decisions. America had interests in the Iraq oilrigs, and this may have been reason enough for the invasion. The Iraq war was not effectively balanced, considering democratic aspect between the two nations.

Democratism does not indicate that tensions will not prevail in nations. Tensions are characterized by bringing the daily interests of the nations in one platform. The ideas and interests of America are believed to be driven by moral value. Tensions are believed to influence the policies in place but not guided by ignorance of the national interests. American national interests and tensions are believed to influence one another in a healthy relationship. American realism is believed to deal with the world as it is. America strives for a better world.  Realism in America posits that nations should be just, free, prosperous, safe, peaceful, not perfect and ultimately just better than the world is today.

Rice indicated that being unique realism tends to make the world a better place to live in. The Bush administration seems to misinterpret the essence of America’s realism; the administration was characterized by terrible records that indicated decreased justice, freedom, prosperity and peace in Iraq. For example, Iraq was attacked by America, which ultimately rendered the country inhabitable. America’s economic club based in New York had special interests in Iraq.

America’s realism had the mandates of informing the work of political leaders in the Cold War. America had to proceed from the reality represented by the Soviet Union. American realism was credited with creating the leeway for the open international order. This was expected to address the free markets, free minds, national sovereignty, and self-determination in an attempt to create peace and prosperity for America. This was extended to other nations of the world. It is believed that American realism enabled Georde Marshall, the-then secretary of state, visit Harvard to encourage the development of Western Europe in the free world.

Rice is critical in demonstrating that American realism dates back many years. She continues to assert that American people believed in efficacy of the institutions. America has designed its institutions in a way to indicate dominance over other nations. This is to maintain the super power status over the years. In the years of the Cold War, none of the US presidents attempted to break the relations with the Soviet Union. America was content with containing the Soviet Empire. It was very strong and posed a threat to the stability of America. The Soviet Empire in Europe was characterized by immense power, and, according to Rice, America demonstrated true realissm. This is the act of dealing with the world as it is; the Soviet Empire slowly collapsed over the years. It was considered that the democrats played a critical role in the collapse of the Soviet Empire. Rice indicated that the national sovereignty enabled the American nation to remain superpower over the years.

According to Rice, American realism has turned open international order from communist into capitalist. Some examples include cases where former global rivals have turned into business partners. American realism has enabled people globally to live with human dignity. This has improved the global business, as well as made it clear that political interests vary depending on the nations. This enhances healthy competition, as Rice states.

 However, American realism has faced challenges in security matters, terrorism, climatic changes, etc.. Insecurity and spread of diseases are posing global threats, and these challenges test the democracy of the institutions in every country, as Rice asserts. Nations must devise means of achieving their set goals in the spectrum of the national power. According to the principles of American realism, this is best done by encouraging incentives and transformation in the light that the world is experiencing numerous changes. American realism encourages transformations by encouraging free trade and expanding business opportunities,for the citizens of the world. This has improved the trade agreements in the Congress and assisted in the fight against poverty and other global challenges. Americans realism is considered great in that it fights for better life at a global level.

In conclusion, democracy as a political system is characterised by the citizens holding the power. This is because citizens elect people to represent them in the government. Democracy provides change in the government without the need to resort to violence. It enables power to be transferred from one political party to another. In most cases, citizens select people mandated to perform and produce desired results. Through democracy, the feelings of participation and ownership are incited; this in the end cultivates a sense of belonging. There are demerits associated with democracy, especially where governments keep on changing hence without realizing the fruits of their labour. It may also influence people to vote for the parties instead of one person representing them, hence losing focus. However, democracy enables continuous change in the government, as the world is changing too.

 

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